Kenmare News

Kenmare

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Vol 19, Issue 2 | March 2021

Happy Easter Shop Local • Eat Local • Stay Local • Enjoy Local

Senator Mark Daly Seanadóir Marcus O’Dalaigh Clinics every Saturday Morning 34 Henry Street, Kenmare Call Mark’s mobile to arrange a time that suits you 086 803 2612

held in the Atlantic Bar Michael Clinics and all surrounding parishes on a regular basis.

Healy-Rae ...see page 18 for my notes T.D

EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT IN KILGARVAN

HEALY-RAE’S MACE: 9PM-10PM / HEALY-RAE’S BAR: 10PM - 11PM

Tel: 01 618 3363 Fax: 064 668 5904 Mobile: 087 246 1678 Email: michael.healy-rae@oirachtas.ie Johnny Healy-Rae: 087 235 4793

Cllr Patrick O’Connor-Scarteen Mayor of Kerry

Offices; 5 Main Street, Kenmare 12a New Street, Killarney

087 290 4325

pconnorscarteen@gmail.com

KENMARE TAXI SERVICE

Denis Griffin

087 614 7222

Hotels Airports Train & Bus Stations ‘Scarra abú Functions Golf Course Transfers Tours arranged for the: Ring of Kerry, Ring of Beara & The Dingle Peninsula Email: info@drivekenmare.com www.drivekenmare.com

Kenmare Furniture Stocking living room, bedroom and kitchen furniture

The Fabulous Veneto Range

The Comfortable Daytona Suite

The Elegant Wellington Range

Kenmare Business Park, Killarney Road, Kenmare - T:064 664 1404 - E: kenmare1@eircom.net

www.kenmarenews.biz | 087 2330398 | 087 2513126

Follow our stories

If it’s happening in Kenmare, it’s in the Kenmare News

• Long & Short term, Convalescence & • Respite Care • No restrictions on visiting hours Approved By: • 24 hr Nursing Care • Fair Deal approved Killaha East, Kenmare. 064 6641315/087 9371588 email: kenmarenursinghome@gmail.com

www.kenmarenursinghome

General Footcare Corns, Ingrown toenails, Thickened nails.

Removal of hard skin, Callus, Cracked heels.

Chiropody Clinic

House calls available on request

Chiropody Clinic, Brosnan’s Pharmacy, Henry Street, Kenmare

Phone Michelle Conway on 083 4074256 By appointment only

Kenmare Community Care CLG, Taobhlinn and Kenmare Family Resource Centre teamed up in December to try to lift the spirits of their residents by opening their door or window to hear the talented tunes from outside.

Big thanks to Rachael Glynn, Fintan O’Brien and Declan O Neill for providing the music; Lee, Yousief, Adhanom, Paula and Denise for their support; and Kenmare.ie for the gazebo.

World Book Day was an exciting day for many children across the world this year. Rosina Brookes from Lauragh enjoyed dressing up as her favourite character, detective Agatha Oddly.

“Just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated again this year to our Night of Giving appeal. This year more than ever, Kerry Women’s Refuge, Novas Mens Shelter Tralee and Kenmare VDP were delighted to receive your donations as it was a very difficult year for charities. Thanks again to everyone who donated and thanks to Eamonn O’Sullivan of Anchor Design Studio for our lovely poster."

Regards, Mags Mahony, Christine Bras, Lynne Brennan and Lorraine Griffin.

2 | Kenmare News

Thank you The staff of Kenmare Community Care CLG who operate the Taobh Linn Social centre were greeted with a wonderful surprise at work recently when John Herlihy site manager from Clann Housing Ltd. {Cluid Housing} in Taobh Linn organised the collection of donations, purchase and the presentation of a beautiful Kenmare Soap Hamper and a bouquet of flowers for the staff. It was a token from the residents of the Taobh Linn housing complex and Taobh Linn supporters to say ‘thank you’ and show their appreciation and to acknowledge all the behind the scenes work that is going on in Taobh Linn Social Centre and Meal Centre providing the Kenmare Community with Meals on Wheels to between 40 plus clients a day, 5 days a week since last March.

Although the masks were on this certainly put a smile on all our faces, it is lovely to be appreciated. We will look forward to better days when the front doors will be open again for meals and activities. Stay safe, Tanya O’Sullivan Manager

Great to see the wonderful Maison Gourmet in town at Kenmare Market, as expected they completely sold out of everything! They will attending the market until they move into their new premises.

NEW Land Rover and Nike range now in stock!

Your local optician

folllow us

19 Henry Street within Haven Pharmacy Brosnan's,

Here to help on 064 664 8569 Kenmare News | 3

O’Neills

BLACKWATER TAVERN

Blackwater Tavern Live Music & Dancing / Set Dancing

FOODSTORE, POST OFFICE, FILLING STATION & FARM SUPPLIES 064 - 6682003

Danny Healy Rae Main Street, Kilgarvan

SEAFOOD 064 -6685315 087 2316055

BAR

danny.healyrae@oireachtas.ie

Available to meet with Constituents at a suitable time and place, always available at 0872316055, 0646685315, 0879975419, 0872354793, email: danny.healyrae@oireachtas.ie

I am available to help with any issue or problem people may have, either day to Full refund of procedure cost under the Cross Border Directive day problems or buses anything new related to Due to increased demand extra added. Places available November 9th FOR CATARACT REMOVAL/HIP FOR CATARACT and 30th.

For more details contact me directly.

FORtimes.

CATARACT REMOVAL/HIP these uncertain 4 | Kenmare News

lking Everyone is taza! about our piz Have you tried it yet?

PIZZA

Roma

Family Restaurant & Takeaway

Toppings limited only by your imagination and cooked in Kenmare's ONLY wood fired pizza oven.

Mon - Sun 3pm til late Delivery 5pm - 12midnight Main Street, Kenmare

064 664 2885

romakenmare@gmail.com

Whyte’s Kenmare

Offer valid 19th - 28th March

Kenmare News | 5

What a fabulous review of the wonderful Maura Foley and Shelburne Lodge in John and Sally McKennas' Guide for 2021. Maura is celebrating a remarkable 60 years cooking and providing hospitality in Kenmare, and this year also marks the 60 year anniversary of The Purple Heather.

“ With the publication of her book of recipes and recollections, My Wild Atlantic Kitchen, Maura Foley has placed an elegant capstone on one of the defining careers in Irish food.Her work helped to create the town of Kenmare not just as a food lovers destination, but as a place that exhibited, and insisted upon, high standards, in every elements of one’s work. Mrs Foley herself was always, always, on top of her work, but what is extraordinary about what she has achieved is the fact that she has achieved so much in every aspect of the creative arts to which she set her mind.She is known as a great cook, but she is also a superb designer. She is as opinionated about fashion and style as she is about the correct way to make scallops with a Noilly Prat sauce. She is that rarest of creatures: a true polymath, able to switch from baker to chef, from chef to restaurateur, from restaurateur to country house host, and able to do all these things at the very highest level.Above all, her book reveals a chef who can synthesise all her influences and experiences into her own distinctive métier. Maura Foley has always been hungry to travel, to get involved, to be a player, and she has been a player in Ireland’s food culture for six decades. Her achievement is without parallel, her contribution to Ireland’s food culture is simply immense.”

John and Sally McKennas' Guides

Kenmare Women's Group Congratulations to those members who have received their Covid19 vaccination. Along with the increasing daylight and positive signs of Spring all around it feels as if we may be emerging from that long, dark tunnel. There is still some way to go but with continued observance of the guidelines we will make it through and as soon as it is possible the Kenmare Women's Group look forward to meeting, sharing, laughing, talking, listening and welcoming others.

If you would like any information call Allyson on 083 131 1322.

Remember the last thing to fly out of Pandora's box after worry, illness, sorrow and loneliness was HOPE.

The Kenmare News is happy to report that, according to RTE, this morning’s breaking news of 88 Bank of Ireland branch closures in the Republic from September next, will not affect their branch in Kenmare.

KENMARE MINI STORAGE SECURE STORAGE YARD NEW 20/40 FT CONTAINERS 24/7 SECURITY CAMERAS CONVENIENT ACCESSS FLOODLIGHT AREA SECURE OPEN AIR SPACE

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SUITABLE FOR; DOCUMENT FILE STORAGE, FURNITURE, HOUSEHOLD GOODS, CAR /BOAT STORAGE, BUSINESS SUPPLY STORAGE, MOVING HOUSE SPACE, WORKSPACE RENTAL & PERSONAL EFFECTS.

WEEKLY OR MONTHLY RENTAL CONTACT US TODAY 087 2548311 OR 087 2444733 kenmareministorage@gmail.com

@UCCRootsForLife have launched their website and are selling food and flower seeds in aid of @Marymounthospice.

Check out their website ucc-roots-for-life.myshopify.com and support Marymount.

Roots for Life is a social enterprise selling food and flower seeds online with all the profits generated going to Marymount Hospice.

Roots for Life wants to improve local areas by encouraging people to plant flowers around Cork. Roots for Life aims to educate people on sustainable practices by selling food seeds to encourage people to eat what they grow. We believe that ecology and the environment around us is a pillar of our community. Ireland is CONTACT known worldwide for its lush, emerald green forests and native Celtic flowers. We believe we have a reputation to uphold.

087 235 4793Keeping the local flora and fauna thriving is monumental for our habitat and losing something so pure would be fatal in our eyes.

6 | Kenmare News

THE ORIGINAL AND BEST BURGER JOINT IN TOWN! 12a Main Street, Kenmare www.timessquareburger.com Open six days a week (closed Tuesday) Delivery from 5pm - 9p Thursday to Sunday simply order through our friends @justeatie or call us on 064 6617971 for our contact free delivery service!

Kenmare, Kilgarvan and Templenoe? We got ya!

Snip Ahea Kenmare Centre 087 38556

The Parent is published and ready for sale!

“This book has been in my head for a number of years but it was only over the last 12 months that I committed to completing it. Working with children, teens and parents over the past 10 years has given me great insight as to what effects our kids positively and negatively in their everyday lives. I have realised how much in our kids lives actually can start with us, their parent.

This is a practical, simple and easy to read book focusing on the important basics of parenting. I feel so strongly about sharing this information to support parents to be the best parent they can be. To be less judgemental of themselves and to understand that their best is good enough. I hope The Parent helps many of you to deal with the many challenges we all face as parents in this ever-changing world we live in. It is a book for all stages of parenting, for mums and dads, grandparents, godparents, for any parent figure in a child’s life. I hope you enjoy it.”

Eileen Haly Congratulations to Sabina O'Donoghue, Killaha East, who has been elected as the President of the University of Aberystwyth Students Union in Wales for the next academic year.

Sabina is in her final year of a BA in Creative Writing and Drama and will take up her new position on July 1st for 12 months.

Sabina was a member of The Carnegie players playing parts in Semi Private and Steel Magnolias

The Parent is for sale on www.jumpstartyourconfidence.com/book

Kerry County Council is appealing for information and assistance from the public in relation to the discovery of the remains of several lambs in the River Blackwater in south Kerry.

Council staff were alerted to the dumping of approximately eight dead lambs in the river, close to the R568 Moll’s Gap to Sneem road, and have commenced an investigation.

County Vet with Kerry County Council, Paddy Fenton, described the dumping of the remains of animals in this way as absolutely appalling, particularly in a watercourse like the Blackwater, which is home to the freshwater pearl mussel.

‘This is a really shocking incident. We have begun an investigation which will include DNA testing of the remains,’ said Mr Fenton ‘The lambs are not tagged so we would appeal to anyone who knows anything about this matter to contact us. As with all such investigations, information obtained in confidence will be considered,’ he said.

Kerry County Council’s Environment Section can be contacted on 066 7162000.

Kenmare News | 7

SEAFOOD BAR

Wonderful to see our own Sheen Falls Lodge flying the flag for Kenmare and lighting up as part of the global greening this year on St Patrick’s Day.

FOR CATARACT REMOVAL/HIP

Thank you to Kenmare Tidy Towns volunteers have been busy acting as individual Litter Wardens on our approach roads, and to those who have adopted particular areas. Thanks to Noel KTT Chairman who picks up the bags and to the volunteers for their efforts and community spirit.

Daffodil Day, one of the most important fundraisers for the Irish Cancer Society, is on 26th March.

Obviously street collections cannot take place under the current restrictions so the Irish Cancer Society has organised a dedicated virtual Daffodil Day donation website with a page specifically for the Kenmare and Kilgarvan area.

Tom Crean Brewery goes green, and not just for St. Patrick’s Day! Tom Crean’s beer is as green as it comes, not in colour but by their efforts to produce it with as little environmental impact as possible whilst providing local jobs. The brewery was built by local builders, they produce their own electricity with PV panels supplied and fitted by local firm. They brew the beer using four natural ingredients, no additives or chemicals (hence no hangover!) and use the spent grain to make dog biscuits free for our customers, muffins and crackers for the restaurant with the remainder going to a local farmer. They don’t want their beer to, literally, cost the earth.

They offer a choice of six beers; St. Bridget's Lager, Scurvy Dog I.P.A., Tom's Winter Warmer ABV 5.5% (limited stock), Expedition Red Ale, 6 Magpies Stout and Killowen Kolsch Style Lager (sold out). Mixed cases are an option, with a case of 12 costing €30, a case of 6 €17, and a presentation pack of 3 €10.

Support local businesses, help your community grow and preserve your environment.

Phone 087-1612929 to order your beer and collect it when suits you.

You can donate at https://daffodilday-virtualcolletion.blackbaud-sites.com/fundraising /daffodil -day-kenmare.

Counselling, Psychotherapy, Healing & Energy Work For information & appointments stonearchcentre@gmail.com 087 256 4189

www.stonearchcentre.com

8 | Kenmare News

Cathoirleach Senator Mark Daly invited Leader of Seanad Éireann Senator Regina Doherty to unveil "Her Surrender" by Leitrim artist Sinead Guckian

Spring has sprung! The last couple of weeks we have had some warmer temperatures and beautiful blue skies here in Kenmare. It gives us all a bit of a pep in our step and it’s a great time to start planning the space in your garden. Getting ready for the growing season ahead is an exciting time, but don’t forget the old saying ‘don’t cast a clout until May is out’. Temperatures can still drop day and night.

Domestic & Commercial Polytunnels made in Kenmare

Weather proofing part of your garden with a polytunnel could be the solution! Not only can you extend your growing season but you can also protect your crops from winds, heavy rain, hail and snow.

Enjoy a comfy space to garden throughout the seasons, all year round.

A child-friendly garden should be a space they can explore and enjoy year-round. Your polytunnel is a great place for kids to grow their own plants and vegetables, learning that the tiny seed they plant will grow into something they can eat is a wonderful expereince for children of all ages. You could also have a corner for kids to use, for playtime, quiet reading or art and crafts.

An area in your polytunnel could allow kids to spend time outside in the fresh air but out of the rain.

TY Students from Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine have green fingers. We were delighted to see some of the students and teachers enjoying their new school polytunnel. It is one of our larger commercial tunnels which measures 4.6 meters wide by 13 meters in length, plenty of room to grow an abundance of veg. We think they have done a great job inside using raised beds for easy access and a gravel floor to finish.

Contact us to find out more - Dan: 087 2432157 or Ben: 087 3892991 E: polytunnelskenmare@gmail.com Web: polytunnelskenmare.com

follow our story Kenmare News | 9

Senator

Mark Daly Reports

International Women’s Day marked in the Seanad International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

As we know all to well that parity and equality eludes us still. I have selected the issue of the Gender Pay gap to be the first item for the new Seanad Panel Forums which I have established.

On International Women’s Day I also organised during the proceedings of the house for the unveiling of a painting of Nurse Elizabeth O’Farrell by Leitrim artist Sinead Guckian. This painting symbolises the all too frequent airbrushing of the contribution of women from Irish history.

Nurse Elizabeth O’Farrell, the woman Patrick Pearse selected to carry his message seeking the cessation of hostilities at the end of Easter Week, was herself ‘airbrushed’ from the photograph of Pearse delivering the surrender to Brigadier General William Lowe.

As the artist said “she is remembered for being forgotten” and the event in a small way rectifies this historic wrong to Elizabeth O’Farrell.

American Irish Legislators of New York 40th Anniversary Event with Senator Kennedy In advance of St Patricks I was invited to addressed the American Irish Legislators of New York Event with Senator Kennedy. During my remarks I spoke about the need to find a pathway to legalisation for the 50,000 undocumented Irish in the US and also the need to protect The Good Friday Agreement from the effects of Brexit. The event brought together legislators from across the US at local and national level and their counterparts in Ireland. The occasion was addressed by Senator Tim Kennedy, Assemblyman Michael Cusick of New York, Leader of Seanad Éireann Regina Doherty and President of the Association of Irish Local Government Cllr. Mary Hoade.

We focused on the relationship between our two nations and the potential benefits of a Biden Presidency for Ireland. It was a successful event, with hundreds of legislators attending and I continue working with American Irish Legislators on issues of mutual concern and interest.

Legislation before the Seanad this month Children (Amendment) Bill 2021 Health (Amendment) Bill 2021 Family Leave Bill 2021 Student Nurses (Pay) Bill 2021

St Patrick’s Day Irish Sign Language National Anthem Challenge Working with Bishopstown Community School in Cork, who I had previously worked with on the National Anthem for the deaf community, we created the National Anthem Challenge for the Primary Schools. The challenge asked teachers and students from primary schools across Ireland to learn and perform the Irish Sign Language version of Amhrán na bhFiann and send a video of their performance to the judges. The event helped students understand the challenges faced by members of our deaf community. I would like to extend my thanks to all the schools that took part and congratulations to the winners. This was a terrific initiative that I was delighted to be a part of.

The Winners were the Following Solos Ellie Ashman - Inch National School, Kileagh, Co. Cork.

Caoimhe Owens - Gaelscoil Athí, Athy, Co. Kildare In school Junior infants to 2nd class- Bunscoil Loreto, Gorey, Co. Wexford 2nd class- Scoil Barra, Ballincollig, Cork Home videos 6th class- Gaelscoil Ui Riordain, Ballincollig, Cork 1st and 2nd class,- Carriglea National School, Dungarvan, Waterford Flag Day 2021 Once again I was privileged to support Flag Day and the Thomas Francis Meagher Foundation which I helped establish with our own local Reverand Michael Cavanagh. The Foundation promotes pride in and respect for the Irish Flag and its meaning for peace. On the eve of St Patricks Day hundreds of Secondary Schools around the country took part in socially distant flag raising ceremonies. Flag Day is supported by the GAA, the Mental Health Commission, the NAPD, SIPTU, CIE, IBEC, Foroige, TG4, The Irish Independent Newspaper, An Gaisce the Presidents Award.

New Website I recently launched a new website at www.senatormarkdaly.ie. There you can find information about my work locally abd as Cathaoirleach, previous legislation I passed, my time as spokesperson for diaspora and much more.

Need assistance with your passport for essential travel?

Under current Level 5 public health guidelines, everyone is asked to stay home, however if you do have to travel for very exceptional circumstances such as illness or bereavement and need assistance with your passport, please feel free to contact my office on 01 618 3830 or email me at Mark.Daly@oireachtas.ie.

Assistance for those in mortgage difficulty I have a team of accountants and legal advisers who are willing to help with any mortgage or debt difficulties so please do not hesitate to contact my office on 01 618 3830 or email me at Mark.Daly@oireachtas.ie.

Clinics Due to public health advice I am currently holding phone clinics on any issues you would like assistance or advice on. If you have any queries call my mobile on 086 803 2612 or email me at Mark.Daly@oireachtas.ie and I will do my best to help.

Seanadóir Marcus O’Dalaigh www.senatormarkdaly.org Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 . Tel: +353 (0)1 618 3830 Fax: +353 (0)1 618 4669 Mob: +353 (0)86 803 2612 Teach Laighean, Sráid Cill Dara, Baile Átha Cliath 2. Fón: +353 (0)1 618 3830. Facs: +353 (0)1 618 4669 Fón Póca: +353 (0)86803 2612

Now enrolling!

FREE ECCE places available for children from 3 years of age

Little Angels Pre School, 54 Cill Mhuire, Kenmare - 064 6642416

10 | Kenmare News

Kenmare News | 11

Cllr Patrick

Connor -Scarteen

Mayor of Kerry reports...

5 Main Street, Kenmare, Co. Kerry.

087 290 4325 pconnorscarteen@gmail.com

100th Year Anniversary- Headford Ambush: The 100th year anniversary of the most significant military engagement in Kerry during the War of Independence took place on Sunday 21st March. Unfortunately due to the Covid Pandemic the commemoration is postponed for a year. The ambush at Headford Junction near Killarney resulted in a severe blow to Crown Forces in Kerry.

8 of the 28 Royal Fusiliers were killed along with two civilians and 2 members of the Flying Column Dan Allman and Jim Bailey.

5 men from the Kenmare Area were amongst the 30 members of the Kerry No 2 Flying Column who took part in the ambush. Tom O'Connor-Scarteen Kenmare, Paddy Lynch Kenmare, Dan Patsy O'Sullivan Morley's Bridge, Sean Flynn Bonane and Pat O'Shea Lauragh. A few others including Miss Tangney of Kenmare Cumman Na mBan were involved in intelligence gathering for the attack which was planned from the Blackvalley where the Flying Column had their Headquarters.

Great sacrifices were given by the brave volunteers for the freedom of our country. May they Rest in Peace.

Great work has been carried out by the Committee in Headford and I hope the commemoration can take place next year to honor those who died and took part.

If anyone would like more detailed information about this important event please let me know.

St Patrick's Day: Belated St Patrick's Day to people here in Kerry, and to Kerry people throughout the Country and abroad. We are all looking forward to a return of St Patrick's day festivities and events next year.

Flexibility for businesses: I have called upon Kerry County Council and relevant Government Departments to assist and allow for flexibility for businesses when restrictions are lifted. Many businesses are really struggling and need all the support they can get.

Municipal motions: That KCC please request Irish Water to ensure that no effluent is discharged from the waste water system into Sneem estuary.

Locals have been monitoring the situation and report that regular pollution is occuring.

2.. People in Kenmare are very concerned about the wastewater treatment unit upgrade which is urgently needed. Please give an update in relation to the timelines, the remaining process and cost.

3. What extra measures are in place to improve safety, access and parking at our public amenities including beaches, parks, piers and walkways.

4. What measures are KCC putting in place to assist businesses in reopening throughout the Municipal District? It has been exceptionally difficult for tourism businesses. Flexibility is needed for many of them to survive.

5. The Kenmare Flood Relief and Defence scheme is urgently needed to protect homes and residences, please outline the process involved.

6. That KCC please outline what progress is being made to secure broadband for the Blackvalley, Beaufort.

12 | Kenmare News

Kerry County Council becomes first local authority to trial carbon neutral truck!

LILY HOUSE

CHINESE & THAI CUISINE

Tel: +353 (0)64 664 1984 26 Main Street, Kenmare, Co Kerry OPENING HOURS Tuesday to Sunday from 4pm

Thankfully, it’s not actually expensive to start a small chocolaterie as a one-man operation. I began with the idea of supplying hotels and shops with great quality chocolate. One thing led to another and I am proud to say, my chocolates became really popular, mainly thanks to word-of-mouth recommendation. Fate lent a hand when Margaret and her family decided to close the post office. I was able to lease the premises and transformed the building into a working kitchen with adjoining shop and store room. The location by the side of the main road, with local and tourist traffic passing by all day, was ideal.

French born master chocolatier Benoit Lorge was recently chosen by Kerry Local Enterprise Office to represent the county in this year’s National Enterprise Awards, adding yet another recognition to his impressive haul of accolades.

My Path to Sweet Success

By Benoit Lorge as told to Heike O’Sullivan

Growing up in Nancy, Lorraine, my grandmother Henriette was a huge inspiration to me. She was a traditional French cook with a great knowledge of food. When I was in my teens, a friend was training to be a pastry chef. I’ve always loved sweets and decided to go down the same route, knowing that, as a pastry chef, I could find work pretty much anywhere in the world which suited my love for travel really well.

After gaining professional qualifications as a pastry chef in France, I had the opportunity to live and work in some amazing places. My favourite position was at the fabulous Inverlochy Castle, thought to be Scotland’s finest Country Hotel. The scenery there was nothing short of spectacular. Having moved on from there, I explored other countries and also lived in the Irish Midlands for a year where I got to know and love Ireland. Sometime later, I was offered the pastry chef position at Sheen Falls Lodge and didn’t really think twice.

During my time at Sheen Falls, I was asked to create some chocolates for a local charity fundraiser and I loved the experience of that. I guess you could say that, after six years at Sheen Falls, my feet were getting itchy again and having realised my passion for chocolate making, I had it in my mind that I wanted to work with chocolate full time. Having fallen in love with the people and the scenery in and around Kenmare, this time though, I wasn’t going to pack my bags and go traveling again. I knew I wanted to stay.

You also live in Bonane and will remember that I first started out in a section of the late Margaret O’Connor’s post office.

My business then grew organically. Thanks to demand, I was able to take on staff. I approached more retail outlets, pitched up at a number of Farmers’ Markets and also sold at the Limerick Milk Market for years. Today, I have my shop in Kenmare and a production kitchen at Kenmare Business Park. Kerry Local Enterprise Office (LEO) have been a huge support throughout; I couldn’t praise them enough. Of course, we also still have our original premises in Bonane where the old kitchen is now a demonstration kitchen which is ideal for our Chocolate Courses.

There are different courses which all prove popular, be it those for children and families, hobby groups, hen and birthday parties, or indeed the ‘serious’ courses aimed at fellow chefs or aspiring artisan chocolatiers. As you can imagine, a chocolate maker’s business is quite seasonal, with Christmas, Easter and St Valentine’s Day being the obvious highlights of the year.

At first, the sustainability of my raw materials was mainly important just to me. Over the years though, it has become a huge part of the customer’s purchase decision as well, which is great. And it’s not just the chocolate. Packaging technology is evolving rapidly and I’m particularly interested in using a biodegradable material to replace plastic packaging as soon as it is commercially viable to do so. Advances in label printing technology has resulted in us only requiring one label now compared to three labels previously. I’m also proud to be an early adopter of biodegradable coffee cups and lids for our hot chocolate sales in store.

Like all my fellow retailers, I can’t wait for my two shops to reopen. The Covid-19 pandemic has really seen people rally around their local, trusted food producers and thanks to my customers’ support, we have had a very busy Christmas period. I have also used the past year to give my website a major make-over with the help of a Trading Online Voucher from Kerry LEO. Again, I can’t recommend Kerry LEO highly enough to other small local businesses who might also benefit from their priceless assistance. They’re really outstanding and well worth a call.

Happy 90th birthday Peg!

We launched the revamped www.lorge.ie recently and it now includes an online shop which, I’m happy to say, has been really busy, particularly now in the run-up to Easter. Our handmade Easter eggs have always been very sought-after.

Because each egg is artistically finished by hand, every single one is unique. As in every year, our eggs come in small, medium and large sizes, various colours and finishes, and can be either hollow or filled with our hand-made chocolates. Due to popular demand, our Easter bunnies and hens are also available online, plus our range of boxes, bars and bags. Please do have a look – you might like what you see. To Kenmare and all of our loyal customers, thank you very much for your continued support!

The recipe for my success? Well, of course it all boils down to the chocolates. Not just the way they’re made, with love and passion, but importantly, the raw ingredients they’re made of. Personally, there was never a question to use anything but the finest ingredients for my chocolate creations. For me, part of the whole process is to carefully source my cocoa beans, and they simply must be ethically produced and traded.

For milk chocolate, I prefer beans from Ghana and the Ivory Coast; for dark chocolate, from Mexico and Venezuela.

My chocolate supplier produces bespoke blends to my own specifications which are then shipped to us here in Kerry.

You can order your Easter treats on www.lorge.ie, or for larger quantities or special requests please email info@lorge.ie or phone 064 667 9994.

Kenmare News | 13

School education is immensely important to the development of children, not only for education but for their social skills, independence, physical and mental health. However, the return to school can be a challenging time for many parents and kids after 3 months mostly confined to home and to our small family circle. Here are a few quick tips to alleviate stress and anxiety and make this a positive transition for all - parents and kids.

Are you ready to go green with Starcamp?

1. Get into a school routine as soon as possible. Bed time needs to go back to normal. Children need enough sleep so they can deal with their emotions in a more positive way. Remove any ipads, iphones, gaming devices etc from the bedroom. Remover the choice of entertainment making sleep and rest the only option.

2. Be prepared the night before; encourage children to take ownership and engage in the new routine. Ask them to get their uniform, school bag and lunch prepared (with a little help from you, depending on the age of your child). The early morning chaos is something every house could do without, especially at the moment.

3. Be prepared. Contact your child’s school or website and find out what changes they may expect in relation to drop off/pick up, social distancing in the classroom and in the yard. The more you can prepare your child for these changes, the more confident and reassured your child will be. This will help to alleviate their anxiety and help them to have a more positive start to their return to school.

Starcamp, known for providing the children of Ireland with performance and fun based summer camps, in January brought a whirlwind of positivity, laughter and much needed relief and escapism to over 250,000 children when they offered an online camp to the nation for free.

4. Share your feelings (age appropriately) but do try to focus on the positives here. Kids will pick up on your fears and anxieties, this will not help. Talk about the good things, meeting their friends, their teachers, the subjects they enjoy etc.

5. Keep an eye on your kids behaviour over the first few days/weeks, are they happy? Are they sad? Do they seem quiet in themselves? Are they angry? Kids behaviour can flag that all may not be ok. Take time to sit and talk with them. Let them know it is ok not to be ok, and they can talk it though with you. They need to understand if things are not going well, you are always there to listen to them. Try to practice active listening here, by this I mean, let you child talk, do not interrupt them until they have finished speaking. I think our natural response as parents is to jump in with our advice as soon as they start talking. In my experience however, if we actually let them finish speaking, they can very often come up with the answers themselves. When we are talking, we are not listening!

6. Friendship issues may pose a problem here for some as many kids have not socialised or connected in any meaningful way for months. Friendships may not be what they were before Christmas, particularly for older children who connect and build friendships through gaming or social platforms. Friendships can be more transient at this age. What you may think is a ‘little problem’ could well be a really big problem for your child. Talk to your kids about this and help them to navigate any struggles they may be experiencing. Talk to them about issues around friendships that you may have had when you were their age, as this can help to normalise things for them.

7. After school, allow them to chill out. A day at school can be exhausting for many of them and they may need to take some time to relax. This is to be expected as there are many little challenges they will be facing for the first time in months. Emotions can be exhausting, give them a hug, maybe a treat and let them know you are there for them. Try not to rush in with homework straight away, give them a little down time and TLC. 8. Keep negative talk about Covid to a minimum, little ears do tend to hear a lot! They cannot be expected to understand adult issues so do try to keep these conversations out of their ear shot. Be aware of what they might be listening to on the radio/tv, they do not need to hear the constant fear and negativity on media.

Eileen Keane is a Life and Parent Coach with a background in child psychology. She is Director of Jump Start Your Confidence which provides confidence coaching for kids, teenage mentoring, parent mentoring, school workshops and corporate speaking. She is also a regular media contributor. www.Jumpstartyourconfidence.com

14 | Kenmare News

They are back to do it all again as they will provide children with what they promise is something guaranteed to raise the spirits and lift the nation for a not to be missed St Patrick’s Day show that they are once again offering to the country at no cost.

The first of its kind two hour show has been created for children of all ages. The same team are all back following the January camp with their wonderful array of talents and there are also a few new additions to the team. Irish dancing sensations, The Gardiner Brothers will be teaching some incredible Irish dance moves, Don Conroy will be back to teach children how to draw something very Irish for the kids and as always and of course there will be some wonderful surprises thrown in along the way. From beginning to end, all things Irish will be celebrated in a way that children will adore.

Gala retail and Starcamp have teamed up for the year ahead and both are very excited about the collaboration. Gala retail will sponsor a whole host of incredible giveaways and prizes throughout 2021, beginning with the St Patrick’s Day Show! The St Patrick’s Day competition is now open to all children, as Starcamp and Gala are going to give away prizes for best song, best art, best parade and best baking. All entries must have a St Patrick’s Day (or Irish) theme. To enter, simply upload your photo or video onto the the Starcamp club Facebook page or Starcamp Instagram page by March 18th and the winner will be announced on March 23rd. There will be a prize for each category and the overall winner will also win a Yamaha Electric Piano for their school.

For more information, please check out www.starcamp.ie

It was great to hear that all those aged over 70 in Sneem received an early vaccination after the village got an unexpected delivery of 300 doses!

All residents over the age of 70 received an early vaccination in Sneem after hundreds of doses arrived unexpectedly. The vaccination was rolled out with military precision after 300 doses of Moderna arrived unexpectedly, said Dr Paddy Malone, the village's retired GP, who assisted with the vaccination of 137 people.

Sneem was ‘fortunate’ in getting 300 doses of the Moderna vaccine, said Dr Malone. Other areas in the region getting the Pfizer vaccine got far less, he said. Dr Malone, along with his wife, retired Dr Diane Foord, assisted under the direction of GP Dr Hernan Ganzo Alvarez and the medical team.

The remaining doses of the vaccine were then rolled out to people with underlying conditions in Sneem.

Dr Malone criticised the bureaucracy surrounding his and other retired GPs' offer to assist at the large public vaccination centres.

A doctor with more than four decades of experience until he retired in 2017, Dr Malone said retired GPs were being forced to ‘jump through hoops’ and are being asked to provide certificates of basic skills in order to be allowed administer vaccines at the new public vaccination centres. Offers to the HSE to volunteer as vaccinators at the mass centres will not be accepted unless volunteers can prove they can perform “basic life support" and allergy recognition abilities and are being asked to prove how to treat severe acute allergy. “This after 41 years in the practice of medicine,” Dr Malone said.

Along with Medical Council registration and other paperwork, “proof of BLS and Anaphylaxis Certification” was sought by the HSE, when he applied. “My local working colleagues also think it’s absurd. They themselves don’t need to jump through these hoops as they vaccinate their own patients. So my wife and I are happy to help our local practices where our services are gratefully accepted,” Dr Malone said.

The HSE said it could not comment on individual cases but said there was no obstacle to the recruitment of retired professionals who may be classed as vaccinators.

This St Patrick’s Day, award-winning filmmaker and photographer Ross O’Callaghan is launching a search for Paddy Irishmen from around the country and abroad!

Ross is photographing men named Paddy, Pat and Patrick from all walks of life for a stunning collection of portraits that capture what it’s like to be Irish and male in contemporary Ireland. The aim is to challenge the stereotype of a ‘Paddy Irishman’ and showcase the diversity of Ireland and the Irish male at an Exhibition of Paddy Portraits in New York on St Patrick’s Day 2022.

Well known Paddy Irishmen already signed up for the project include gay and disability activist Paddy Smyth; Filmmaker of I Went Down, Man About Dog and Rosie Paddy Breathnach; award winning architect and Home of the Year TV personality Paddy Bradley; publican, Limerick electronica musician Paddy Mulcahy aswell as Paddy Kehoe the veteran racehorse owner still best remembered for being one of the public faces of the storied 1992 syndicate that won the Lotto by buying 80% of the tickets in an controversial stand off with The National Lottery organisation.

Anyone named Paddy, Pat or Patrick, Padraig, Padraic, or any other variant of the name Patrick interested in getting involved are invited to get in touch by emailing ross@paddyirishmanproject.com or by tagging @PaddyIrishManProject on Instagram. A few lines of introduction with a photo or video of yourself, if you are inclined, are enough to express your interest and Ross and his team will be in touch. PaddyIrishManProject.com

Good luck to Pobailscoil Inbhear Scéine students Conor Casey, Emmet Glynn Johnston and Asher Grant ‘Team KPH Construction Racing’ who have entered the F1 in Schools competition.

F1 in Schools is an international STEM competition for students in which groups of between three and six students have to design and manufacture a miniature car out of the official F1 Model Block using CAD/CAM design tools. Team KPH Construction Racing has qualified for the national final which is due to take place week commencing April 19th 2021.

The goal of the F1 in Schools competition is to build and race the fastest Formula One car powered by compressed gas cylinders. For the competition the students needed to raise sponsorship to fund the development of the car, manage the teams brand and partnerships, appropriately test and prototype car designs under consideration, and then analyse the performance of these designs. The team will be judged across multiple categories in the competition including racing, portfolios (there is two portfolios: one for engineering and one for enterprise), verbal presentation, pit display, and the teams social media and marketing plan.

The team is led by Conor Casey who takes responsibility for the management of the team, defines team goals, objectives and aims, ensuring the car is adequately prepared for the competition and defines a timeline that the team followed to ensure everything is ready for competition day.

Emmet Glynn Johnston is the teams Design and Manufacturing Engineer, and he oversees the creation, design, styling, and performance of the car. He also advises the wider team concerning the manufacturing requirements of the car.

Asher Grant is the Marketing Manager and responsible for creating any necessary marketing materials required for the promotion of the team and undertake any related public relations tasks which align with the goals of the team.

The team currently has three sponsors providing support, main sponsor is KPH Construction, supported by two secondary sponsors Holbein Carpentry & Joinery and MHL Consulting Engineers. These sponsors have generously contributed to the team and made it possible for the students to take part in this competition Talking to The Kenmare News Asher Grant said, “Through raising public awareness of the team's progress, we hope to promote STEM subjects in rural communities in Ireland. STEM subjects are crucial in the modern world in which we live. They permeate all parts of rural life, and promoting these subjects; will support innovation in rural Ireland, which is suffering from a brain drain to large urban areas.

“Agriculture is a major part of Ireland's culture, and targeting these communities; will help advance and further develop the agricultural community in these areas. We think supporting these communities will be beneficial as they are often overlooked by the nation.”

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“And how’ru now?” is a typical Kerry greeting. “Grand out,” is a typical reply.

But if someone asked you, “How are you, really? What’s the story?” what would be your heartfelt response?

Adrian Duyn will be featured on this season's 'Home of the Year' to be aired on RTE One Tuesday March 30th 8:30pm

It’s been a long year. When all this is over, the facts and events around COVID will have been well documented. But what about the day-to-day experiences we have all lived through?

Are you climbing the walls, or do you wish that life in lockdown could go on forever?

What is your personal experience of this world-wide event? How have you coped? Is there something you’d love to get off your chest? Or any insights you’re excited to share with the rest of us?

How did you handle life in lockdown? Did you find moments of relief? Joy? Humour? How? Where? Have you discovered new things about yourself?

During this past year, what have you missed? What have you relied on? What keeps you going from day-to-day? What keeps you laughing?

May belongs to the Bealtaine festival, celebrating creativity as we age!

This year, the Arts Office in Kerry County Council is inviting applications from artists and facilitators to host online creative and cultural events for people over 50 any time in the month of May. The Arts Office has a limited budget to subsidise the costs of the event and invites experienced arts facilitators to submit an application.

Last year’s Bealtaine Festival was cancelled due to Covid safety restrictions.

“We are delighted to be able to offer this to people in Kerry again this year,” says Kate Kennelly, Arts Officer. “The events have to take place online, but everyone has so much more experience now of online events compared to this time last year.”

The national Bealtaine website is www.bealtaine.ie where more information about the festival can be accessed.

The application form is available at www.kerrycoco.ie/arts/arts-forms/ and any queries can be directed to arts@kerrycoco.ie or 066 7183541 16 | Kenmare News

What has broken your heart? Kept you in constant combat with difficulty? What has helped you? Kept you grounded? What do you wish for? What keeps you hoping?

Did this last year make you question any of your values, attitudes and beliefs, or did you more fully embrace what you’ve always believed in and relied on for strength?

What really matters to you when all is said and done? What is important to you in life?

We’re looking for your story!

Let’s tell our stories. We do not have the pleasure of each other’s company at present, but let’s tell our stories through the written word. Let’s listen to each other by sharing and reading them.

If you have an hour to spare, please take the time to write down your personal view of living through these times. Using the above questions as guidelines, write between 500 – 800 words, and email it to howrunow2020@gmail.com by Wednesday, 31st March, including a title name for your story.

To create a sense of safety and to allow for free expression, all submissions will be published anonymously. However, to give context, contributors are asked to state their age, gender, and general location (i.e. town or parish), along with one word that best describes who you are, for example; painter, cat-lover, entrepreneur, mother, music-lover, book-worm, friend.

The “HowRuNow2020” project is devised and facilitated by Maureen Sullivan, female, 50, music-maker and journalist, Kenmare, who misses face-to-face conversations on long afternoons, and whose vision for this project is to publish all submissions on a dedicated online site by early summer (sponsorship welcome!)

For further information you can contact Maureen on 086 178 1011. What you have to say is important because no one else can tell your story. We’d love to hear it!

Lauragh National School A huge welcome back to all the pupils of Lauragh National School. They have been busy in the school garden checking on the daffodils they planted and weeding the flowers. They have each planted a gorgeous rose that they will look after each day and take home at the end of the school year. The pupils have also added the final pieces to the water tower that the Senior Room have built and have learned a lot about the importance of feeding flowers nutrients such as tomato feed. The pupils of Lauragh National School have a great interest in gardening and taking care of various plants and vegetables.

World Book Day was a great success in Lauragh National School!

Everyone dressed up as their favourite characters and brought in their favourite books. We designed our own bookmarks, listened to live readings online and discussed our favourite parts of our book!

A huge well done to Enya and Katy for taking part in the St. Patricks Day Primary Schools Challenge which involved learning and recording the national anthem in Irish Sign Language.

Kenmare News | 17

New social welfare payment for anyone over 65 and retired Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds is a payment for people aged 65 who have ceased employment or self-employment and who satisfy the pay-related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds may be paid from the date of your 65th birthday until the date of your 66th birthday as long as you continue to satisfy the conditions for this payment.

MICHAEL HEALY-RAE TD FLOOD RELIEF PLAN FOR KENMARE I recently put forward a parliamentary question again on the record of the Dail with regard to the flood relief plan for the town of Kenmare. There is currently a steering group in place comprising of representatives of the office of public works and kerry county council to progress the Kenmare flood relief scheme. Kenmare is been implemented as part of the first tranche of 60 new schemes that have been prioritised for implementation nationally as part of the flood relief management plans. In October 2020 Kerry County Council issued a request for tenders for engineering, design and consultants and environmental consultants to the office of public works frame work of consultants. Three tenders were submitted and these submissions are currently been evaluated. It is expected to appoint a consultant in the coming weeks. The appointed consultant will be tasked with identifying and designing a flood relief scheme to alleviate the risk of flooding to Kenmare. The consultant will determine the standard of protection and will manage and over see the construction of this scheme. In advance of the larger Kenmare Flood Relief scheme interim works are currently been carried out. These works involve the clearance of vegetation (over hanging trees and branches etc) and debris along a stretch of the Keelnagower river which poses an immediate risk in a flood event as they may contribute to blockages of bridges as was seen in the recent flooding events we had in Kenmare where very unfortunately and sadly a number of properties were again flooded. The clearance of this vegetation will also allow for various surveys to take place (site investigations, environmental base lines etc).

An environmental screening was carried out to ensure that there would be no adverse environmental effects and the appropriate state agencies were consulted with regard to these works. These works are actually substantially complete.

A coastal wave and water level study is due to commence in the coming weeks which will allow for the analysis of wave over topping and will form part of the overall flood relief scheme for Kenmare town.

I will continue to pursue this matter and do everything I can to help in this situation.

18 | Kenmare News

New Cross Border Scheme I am delighted to announce that a new temporary scheme has been introduced to ensure Irish patients can still access private healthcare in Northern Ireland after Brexit which will continue in 2021 for a 12 moth period, The scheme will run the same as the cross border scheme so I urge people to contact me or my office to discuss this if you wish to travel to have any procedures carried out in Belfast under the new scheme CLINICS During level 5 restrictions my clinics are currently postponed However you can always contact me on 0872461678 or my office on 0646685782 which is fully operational during these times Passports The passport office is currently closed under level 5 restrictions, you can still apply online but they will only begin processing them once level 5 restrictions are lifted However, if you require a passport for an emergency such as a bereavement or medical appointment, they will process this but proof of same will have to be provided Married, co-habiting couple/single parent family aged over 66 with dependents: €298 for medical card and €492 for GP visit card

T: 01 618 3363 - 064 66 85782 or E: michael.healyrae@oireachtas.ie

Keep your eyes open, we’re launching something new very soon that we know you’ll love. Coming Soon…

Easter Sunday & Easter Monday Afternoon Tea at Home

Celebrate Easter with a Sheen Falls Lodge Afternoon Tea Afternoon Tea For Two - €70 Prosecco Afternoon Tea For Two - €122 (Furlan) Champagne Afternoon Tea For Two - €188 (Duval Leroy) Ring Sheen Falls Lodge directly on 064 6641600 from 9am to 6pm daily to place your order for Easter Sunday 4th April or Easter Monday 5th April.

Last orders are Friday 2nd April by 6pm. Kenmare residents can collect their afternoon tea from the hotel on the 4th or 5th April from 12.30pm - 1.30pm.

064 6641600

info@sheenfallslodge.ie sheenfallslodge.ie

Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Kenmare News | 19

Thank you to the many people who adopted a Green Mile in conjunction with Sherry Fitzgerald Daly and Kenmare Tidy Towns, all who helped were entered into for the draw for a giant Benoit Lorge Easter Egg! Over 1000 kg's of waste was collected over two weeks with over 80 children and adults giving their time to adopt a Green Mile, covering over 100 miles of main roads and by-roads.

Kenmare Tidy Towns would love if everyone continued to keep their mile clean throughout the whole year, and asked that those who still throw rubbish on our roads to STOP!

20 | Kenmare News

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We are currently inviting applications for the following roles: Accommodation Assistants The role is responsible for ensuring that our public areas and guest rooms at the Sheen Falls Lodge are cleaned and maintained to the highest standard so as to enhance our guests stay. These can be a full-time or part time position and are on a rostered basis, which includes weekend work and evening shifts to facilitate evening turndown.

Night Cleaner These roles are responsible for ensuring that our public areas and guest rooms at the Sheen Falls Lodge are cleaned and maintained to the highest standard so as to enhance our guests stay. These can be full-time position and are on a rostered basis, which includes weekend work and evening shifts to facilitate evening turndown.

Food & Beverage Assistants We are looking for full time and part time Food & Beverage professionals who have an eye for detail and take pride in delivering 5* service to join and enhance our established team in The Falls, Sheen Bar and Sun Lounge.

Demi/Chef de Partie Qualified Chef to a demi chef de partie or chef de partie level required with a further 2+ year experience required coming from a similar Hotel/ restaurant background required to join our team. Your will also be required to demonstrate your passion for food, your food knowledge and cooking skills. Fluent English required.

Breakfast Chef / Prep chef Applicants for the above full time position must have previous experience in a similar role. All applicants must be available to work five days over seven per week to include weekends and bank holidays. Shifts can be starting at 6am to 3.30 pm and 8-5.30PM daily.

All roles are rostered to include weekend and bank-holidays work. Interested applicants may apply in confidence by e-mail to: careers@sheenfallslodge.ie Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare, Co Kerry, Ireland. www.sheenfallslodge.ie

22 | Kenmare News

Kenmare Chronicle is looking for more information on this picture of Kenmare Suspension Bridge taken in 1926. John (Jack) Flynn from Bonane is pictured on the right of the photograph and they are interested in hearing any information on John as part of their research into the 1916 to 1926 decade.

You can contact them via their facebook page.

Darkness Into Light is going to be a little different this year, and you can get involved in even more creative ways than ever. If you want to take part there are two options: 1. Join us at Sunrise on May 8th and walk 5k, run 10k, go for a dawn sea-swim, whatever you like. Do it in your local area and please follow Government guidelines. There won’t be an organised event, but like last year, it was lovely to see people together whilst separate as they made the dawn their own.

Sign up via our website, pay your registration fee and you’re good to go! We want to share One Sunrise Together, so don’t forget to share yours via #DIL2021 #DarknessIntoLight2021 on the day.

2. Take the #DILChallenge2021. Choose your own fundraising challenge. Walk, run, swim, hike or bike. Challenges can start now and take place anytime up until May 8th. There’s no registration fee for the challenge; just pledge to fundraise on our site and get moving!

Sign up at www.darknessintolight.ie Proudly supported by Electric Ireland #DIL2021 #DarknessIntoLight2021

T: 087 222 4411 These are some of the motions that I have put forward for area meeting: I have asked Kerry County Council apply for funding for the Tubrid Road in Kenmare I have also enquired would Kerry County Council skirt both sides of the Road to Sneem between bright sparks and Pairc na Glaoine where there are no footpaths

Covid Care Concerts return to Kerry after two previous highly successful trips.

Covid Care Concerts are the brainchild of cellist Gerald Peregrine, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. His Mobile Music Machine has collaborated with Creative Ireland and Blackwater Valley Opera Festival to deliver live classical music concerts in the gardens of residential care homes and hospital settings.

Would Kerry County Council apply for funding to create a walk path on the road to the Two mile Bridge in Kenmare as it is a hugely popular walking ring for a lot of people in the area

Since the project’s inception in May last year they have delivered 200 live concerts in 6 counties, employing over 30 of the finest Irish classical musicians.

I have put a motion forward to ask Kerry County Council to write to the relevant authorities to allow The Air Ambulance to receive funding from Government, rather than being solely dependant on voluntary donations

“We are delighted to be returning to Kerry,” says Gerald.

“There is always such a warm welcome for us from staff and residents and huge appreciation for the music.”

I am asking Kerry county council to get the Bonane to Glengarriff open as soon as possible This is a busy time on farms with calving and lambing in full swing. I urge people to take care and follow best practice in safety regulations.

With the evenings getting longer people need to still remember to wear their high vis jackets and also people walking dogs should make sure they are on a lead

In 2021 the Mobile Music Machine will deliver 250 concerts in 5 counties with the support of Age Friendly Ireland. In addition to continued funding from Creative Ireland, this will enable the delivery of 400 concerts and the employment of over 60 musicians.

These visits have been a great success, particularly at a time when families are not in a position to visit and the residents have lost access to all their occupational therapy, such as arts. crafts and music. The musicians have been providing these visits free of charge, as part of the community call promoted by the government.

Cllr. Dan McCarthy

Kenmare News | 23

Great to see the wonderful Star Outdoors featured on Irish Travel Trade News Ireland!

“An Outdoor Adventure centre in County Kerry is gearing up for a bumper year when Lockdown ends as families starved of fun make a flood of online bookings.

Star Outdoors is seeing a surge in interest with bookings up more than 50% on previous years, a sign that is giving its owners “huge hope”.

They have spent lockdown redesigning and extending the purpose built centre which specialises in kayaking, paintball, splat ball, archery and a water park as well as cruise trips of stunning Kenmare Bay in preparation for a safe and successful reopening.

Managing Director of Star Outdoors, Daniel McCarthy, says he is ‘optimistic’ that this Summer will be one of their busiest ever once they are able to resume operations as he is seeing a surge of bookings coming in from all over the country, adding that interest in his centre has never been as high.

“Given the disaster that last year was for the hospitality sector we all desperately need a good 2021 and the signs are fantastic. Like a lot of businesses’ in the hospitality sector we were shut down for most of 2020, being open to the public for just 8 weeks out of a possible 52. Schools tours, American tour buses, hen’s, stags, corporate groups, summer camps were all cancelled last year with a few bad spells of weather ruling out another few days of an already short season for the company. It was tough going I can tell you”.

“However we are really hopeful for a massively successful comeback this Summer”. “If we could get open for early summer we would be expecting a good season. We have set up a new booking system on our website Staroutdoors.ie to better help us judge how busy the 2021 season will be. Whilst the industry norm is to receive booking a few days in advance we have already had a flood of bookings coming in 4, 5 or even 6 months in advance. People are planning ahead this Summer as last year many people experienced Self caterings, restaurants and activity centres being sold out and they definitely don’t want to be caught out this year”.

Reflecting on the work they have undertaken to throw open their gates in the knowledge that all precautions have been taken to ensure safety and compliance, Daniel says “Last year was a big shock to everyone in our sector so we needed to scale things back to give us an opportunity to put all the proper safety procedures in place. We have spent months rejigging space here to allow for maximum comfort and security for our guests. On foot of that we were able to make the decision in Star Outdoors to open up more of our activities this year and allow additional groups participate; we have over 40 acres of space so it offers great freedom for visitors. There is massive interest in paint ball, splat ball and archery, people are dying for a bit of craic”.

“We will also be taking bookings for Hen and Stag groups, which we weren’t last year. We have had many enquires in this front due to mass cancellation of Weddings over the past 12 plus months”.

“We have a natural backdrop which is literally magnificent and acres of space so we are really tapping into the very particular needs of people at this time. People want space and the outdoor life; the majestic wildness and ruggedness of Kenmare offers up so many options for people to enjoy a fabulous holiday . Kerry is a treasure trove of options for tourists and I firmly believe it will be the top destination this year”.

He also revealed that they are in the middle of finalising plans to unveil a long planned for addition to Star Outdoors, a water park which will be one of Ireland’s largest.

“Yes, we’re putting the finishing touches to what has been a long cherished dream for us here at Star Outdoors; watch this space!”.

24 | Kenmare News

THINKING OF SELLING OR LETTING? Contact us for a free market appraisal Tel: 064 6641213 Email: info@seandaly.com Lake House, Tuosist KENMARE

Asking price €250,000

For sale in one or more lots Bar/Restaurant with 7 days licence

Lake House, Tuosist KENMARE

Asking Price €150,000

For sale in one or more lots Former Dance hall and Tea Room

Killeen, Glenflesk

For Sale in two lots - By online auction

KILLARNEY

5.58 acres of good quality land

Expression of Interest now being taken contact John Daly 064 6641213

48.775 acres of mixed quality land, remains of old dwelling house & mountain grazing rights

Valuations are continuing. It can take time to prepare your home for selling or letting, so if you’re thinking about making the move, now is the perfect time.

CONTACT US FOR A FREE MARKET APPRAISAL.

Elaine Daly

John Daly

Suzanne Teahan

Tel: 064 664 1213 Email: info@seandaly.com www.seandaly.com | www.sherryfitz.ie | 34 Henry Street, Kenmare

PSRA No. 002809

Kenmare News | 25

26 | Kenmare News

DNG CAN STILL VALUE, MARKET & SELL YOUR HOME Considering selling, buying or want access to DNG off market homes For a complete and confidential service Call us at 064 6641566 or 087 418 0094

Gardening in February… …the Willowfield Way Spring is March-ing on !

March is always a month of many weathers so at the moment it can only get better ! At least the sunny spells between the showers are that little bit brighter and warmer and the days are getting longer. With the clocks changing the evenings will be longer and more time to catch up on gardening work…. So, make the most of any dry spell to get some of the jobs done around the garden .mowing, strimming, raking, fertilizing, planting, chitting and sowing…off you go now !

1. The lawn is nearly overrun with moss at the moment due to the heavy rain we have had over the winter, grass growth is very uneven and very untidy looking but extra strong growth has occurred over the winter. So, to get things started, the mower should be brought out of winter retirement ( give the mower a check over for oil, spark plug..etc before using )and the lawn should be given a cut, not too low, but low enough to provide a neat finish.

Next job, after about 5 days after cutting,will then be to scatter some Lawn feed with moss and weed killer, just before it is going to rain.

This rain will help wash the fertilizer/chemicals in. Within a few days the moss will start turning brown as it dies back. The weeds will take a little longer and at the same time the grass is beginning to put on a spurt of growth as it starts to feel the benefits of the fertilizer. Don’t mow again for two weeks.. then it’s back to mowing again and a lot of the moss will be picked up by the mower as it dries out and loosens itself from the ground. There is an organic lawn fertilizer and moss killer also available.

2. If you are interested in planting a HEDGE or bareroot trees, this is the last time to do it until the autumn as buds will be beginning to burst very soon and plants will need to be rooting away in the ground prior to this, so get it planted by the end of March to allow for better establishment.

3. FRUIT trees and bushes should also be planted as soon as possible as their flowering period is about to begin.

4. SPRING window boxes and PATIO CONTAINERS can be planted up with a range of flowering plants to bring early colour to the garden. Spring bulbs that have been pot grown can be planted into these containers with Pansy, Viola, Primrose and Sinetti Cinneraria..etc with some evergreen plants to give the splash of colour for Easter and on until it is time to plant up the summer bedding at the end of April. Seed can be sown now for many of the summer flowering plants but would need to be kept under protection until the end of April.

5. In the VEGE garden there is plenty to do now as early potatoes can be planted and main crops can be sprouting away inside for another few weeks. If there is a chance of frost you can earth up the emerging shoots over the next month or so and this will save them from getting scorched. Prepare ground for sowing vegetable crops from the beginning of April.

Early sowings can be carried out inside in seed trays and various plant containers so they can be planted out once all frost is over for the year.

Well rotted Farm Yard Manure or GEE-UP,(Horse Manure), is great in the vegetable garden to give all the plants a lift as soon as the growing season is underway. In polythene tunnels sowings should be underway for most vegetable crops but again be careful for cold nights and prepare to cover the young plants with some ‘fleece’ for extra protection. Use slug traps or slug bait for about a week before planting to catch the first wave of slugs before planting. Young lettuce plants are available for planting now in tunnels.

6. PRUNE your ROSE bushes as well as FRUIT trees as soon as you can now and remember to prune spring flowering shrubs immediately after they have finished flowering.

7. ALPINES will always provide a burst of spring colour in yellows, blues and whites.

Aubretia, Arabis, Iberis and Campanulas are all very reliable performers, weather resistant and will spread and get bigger every year. HERBACEOUS PERRENIALS can also be planted up now for flowering from early summer through to the autumn.

Happy gardening ! See you all out at Willowfield as the garden season gains momentum !

Kenmare News | 27

We love this article on The Kenmare Chronicle facebook page about Riversdale House Riversdale House, Kenmare was the home of George Mayberry (1883 -1962) George Mayberry was born on 24th July 1883 in Kenmare, the only son of Dr. Francis G. Mayberry and his wife Louisa of Riversdale House. (The old Riversdale House, a protected structure, is still visible amongst the extensions that have been built during the years as it developed into a Hotel and nightclub.)

George was educated at St Columba’s College and then at Trinity College where he studied medicine becoming the third generation in his family to practice medicine. He received a BA in 1908, and BAO, BCh, MB in 1911.

In his student days he was a fine athlete and at the IAAA Championships he was runner up in the high jump on four occasions in 1906, 1907, 1910 and 1911. In 1906 and ‘07 he jumped a height of 5’7”(1.70m). He was capped by Ireland at International meetings with Scotland in 1906 and 1907. He also represented the United Kingdom at the Olympic Games of 1908 in the Triple Jump (Chariots of Fire).

Irish athletes were selected as part of a UK team until 1924 when the first team representing Ireland was included in the Olympics.

After graduation in 1911 he joined Clonliffe Harriers where he became an Honourary President of the Club in later years.

His medical career however took him to England, where he was in the Royal Army Medical Corps during World War 1 and became a Captain in 1916.

After the war he was to remain in England, where he was married and had three daughters.

He became Medical Superintendent of Dagenham Sanatorium and Landon Hills Sanatorium for Children where he specialized as a tuberculosis physician from 1922 – 1949. He died at his home in Frant, Sussex on November 21st, at the age of 78 in 1962.

This photograph of Riversdale House taken in the late 1900's. Dr George Mayberry was at one time the Doctor to the Workhouse and other dispensaries around Kenmare.

28 | Kenmare News

All style as World Book Day is celebrated at Tahilla National School!

#kenmare.ie

A remote rural location in Kerry is being targeted by tech billionaire Elon Musk to place antennas to the stars according to RTE. The pilot project is likely to roll out in just weeks in a valley in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks near Killarney.

Mr Musk, the founder of SpaceX and electric carmaker Tesla, is deploying "showers" of satellites into space to provide cheap and fast broadband connection for remote rural locations.

Strict non-disclosure agreements surround the approach in December by Mr Musk's SpaceX Starlink representatives to Kerry County Council.

However, sources have confirmed Mr Musk's small antennae are likely to operate from the remote Black Valley.

One of the last places in Ireland to get telephone connection, the area it is now reliant on patchy mobile phone connection.

A community broadband project announced at the local school last year had to be ring-fenced for school purposes only.

The new pilot link for the valley is likely - at least initially - to involve just a single household, it is understood.

Almost one third of all Kerry premises have no access to high-speed broadband, a meeting of Kerry County Council was told last week.

Even areas close to major town have patchy connections and many houses are paying for two or more providers for internet and mobile signals.

Outlining the five to seven-year National Broadband plan for Kerry, Donal Hanrahan, Chief Commercial Officer with Kerry County Council, said there are 26,905 premises in Co Kerry without access to high-speed broadband.

The Government will invest €106m in building NBP in Co Kerry, he said.

However, Councillor Michael Cahill said the time frame was too long and the roll out of broadband has been a nightmare for the citizens of Kerry.

"I have been questioning this for some time now and the situation does not appear to be improving," Mr Cahill said.

"And all of this has become even more disastrous by the requirement for home schooling during Covid-19 restrictions and the lack of facilities for our students," he added.

Home working was also being affected by the poor broadband.

It is understood that Mr Musk's corporation approached the Department of Rural and Community Development late last year, facilitating direct negotiations between Starlink and Kerry Council.

The extremely strict non-disclosure agreement by Mr Musk's company does not allow the Council to speak publicly about the plans.

However, council officials are mindful that concerns about against the new technology may be raised in Kerry where fears about satellites and other technology are frequently raised.

Just last year Councillor Norma Foley, now Minister for Education, led calls for "an independent review of all facts prior to 5G being permitted in Kerry".

Ms Foley said she had been approached by people "the length and breadth of Kerry" and the key issue was "intensification" where thousands of tiny antennae would be in use.

At least one French village has already rejected the tech billionaire's approaches.

The council in the small village of Saint-Senier-de-Beuvron, near Mont Saint-Michel, said "non" to Mr Musk amid what they said was a precaution amid lack of clarity about the new technology.

Kenmare News | 29

Lee Strand & An Riocht Family Fun 5K Challenge On your marks, set, go…May Bank Holiday Weekend!

Inter Kenmare are delighted to have been selected as the Texaco Support for Sport initiative finalist in Kerry. The club has worked hard as an all-inclusive Sports facility, and are honoured to have won the award.

Open to sports clubs across the 26 counties, irrespective of sporting discipline, size, membership, age, cultural appeal or gender, the initiative saw a fund of €130,000 being made available by Valero for distribution in equal amounts of €5,000 to successful applicants chosen on a county-by-county basis.

Congratulating the club on its success, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited said, “A feature evident in almost all applications was the pressure felt by clubs in the current circumstances to expand their role within their local communities with increased membership demands and the need for extra equipment and improved facilities.”

“The purpose of our initiative is to help clubs to overcome these obstacles so that they can continue to remain active and at the very heart of their local communities. Therefore we believe our initiative has been so warmly welcomed by sports clubs nationwide in its launch year,” he added.

“One of almost 400 clubs countrywide to make application under the scheme, Inter Kenmare FC has a 450-strong membership, the majority being children and young adults. The club is driven by a strong sense of community, evident in the support it provides for members with disabilities and in its efforts to foster integration, not least by making its pitch available to the local Direct Provision centre.”

Overseeing the adjudication process was Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, acclaimed broadcaster and former Irish rugby international, Donncha O’Callaghan. Commenting, he described Inter Kenmare as a club, “...whose role in the life of its community came through clearly in its application and is deserved of this award.”

Badly affected by recent storms, the €5,000 award will be used to carry out vital repairs to the access road to its ground which suffered severe damage.

Lee Strand has teamed up with An Riocht Athletic Club to get everyone in Kerry fit and healthy over the next 6 weeks. Get your family together and progress from walking to running a virtual 5k at your own pace during the May Bank Holiday weekend. Irish International athlete Shona Heaslip will be on hand with lots of video tips on warm-ups, stretching, recovery and nutrition. Plus, to help everyone along the way there is an easy to follow 6 Week Beginners 5k Training Plan. The grand finale at the end of the 6 weeks is to complete the Lee Strand and An Riocht Family Fun Virtual 5K Challenge on the May Bank Holiday weekend.

To register for the Lee Strand & An Riocht Family Fun Virtual 5K Challenge visit www.myrunresults.com. Entry fee: Individual: €10; Juvenile: €5 and Family of 4: €20. All proceeds from the race entry will be donated towards the development of An Riocht Athletic Club. There is also an option to purchase a souvenir t-shirt and/or medal if desired. Participants will complete the 5K within their own 5km anytime that suits between Saturday, May 1st and Monday May 3rd. Following completion of the 5k, race times will be registered on the www.myrunresults.com results portal.

Gearoid Linnane, CEO, Lee Strand “Lee Strand is delighted to continue our support with An Riocht Athletic Club. As the event is virtual this year it will provide a great opportunity for families and individuals all over Kerry to participate this May Bank Holiday weekend. This year more than ever people need to focus on their health and wellbeing and we are delighted to help everyone work towards an attainable goal. If you ever wanted to run a 5k at your own pace, there is no better time than now to achieve that goal. Lee Strand and An Riocht will be there to support you along the way with an easy to follow six week, 5k beginners training plan with weekly tips on stretching, recovery and nutrition. Remember, you don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

Everyone is welcome to take part, families or individuals of all levels, walkers, joggers or runners. There are lots of fun participation prizes to be won, simply share your photos with Lee Strand on social media with #leestrand5kchallenge. Follow Lee Strand and An Riocht on Facebook and Instagram for weekly updates and further details on registration.

Thank You. My teenager has been a member of Kenmare Athletic Club since she was seven years old. She particularly likes Cross Country running. She has been encouraged, coaxed, praised and helped through the years by Conor Daly, Claire Randles, Tadhg O’Donoghue and other officers and trainers in the club. I have always been amazed by the commitment of the club officers and trainers. Winning or losing the children are treated with the same encouragement and respect. A kind pat on the shoulder and a smile meets the children after competitions whether they have come first or 51st.

Covid-19 has been very tough for Sports Clubs, but our Athletic Club has gone way above and beyond what would have been expected. Training has continued throughout the pandemic with the help of texts. Every week there are at least seven texts sent to members setting out the training schedule for the week. Different training methods are suggested with explanations and directions.

Even non-members, from other sports, are encouraged to join the training. The children have been encouraged to stay fit and although the more competitive miss and mourn the competitions, it has been a good and fulfilling time.

30 | Kenmare News

There has been near to full participation for all the training sessions. Many adults, and third level students who had to return home due to the pandemic, are also availing of these training sessions and are delighted to have the opportunity to pick up or continue with their training.

Strength and Conditioning Zoom meetings are carried out two times a week with Niamh Ní Gearailt. This is a fabulous resource for members and reflects the Clubs commitment to all around fitness and wellbeing. Niamh is a strong and competent trainer and really encourages and demands the best from her pupils, with wonderful results. Thank you Niamh.

I personally think that ‘Thank You’ does not go far enough for what the club has done for the adults, children and teenagers of the area. They have made an unprecedented time away from sports and activities challenging and fulfilling and have taught the children and teenagers to take responsibility for their own fitness and training which will stand to them in their future life.

On behalf of the parents and members go raibh mÍle, mÍle, maith agat.

In 2010 the FAI Football For All programme established a network of Football For All Clubs through their existing community clubs across Ireland. These clubs provide opportunities for children with specific needs and may struggle to excel in the competitive environment of underage football or who need additional supports to develop as footballers to join the club, train and compete at FAI FFA club festivals. For more information please go to our FFA Club section.

Building on from this, Inter Kenmare has created a subcommittee, to encourage others to get involved in the Football For All programme.

“We hope that once Covid is under control, that we can return to some type of training. Pre Covid, John Granville ran the programme on a Wednesday evening. The emphasis is to get kids with disabilities involved in Sport. Our aim is inclusion, where kids of all abilities can train together in a non-competitive, inclusive environment. We wish to encourage all parents to try to make time to get involved in your local sports club , whatever that sport may be. Coach education plays a key role in the development of our FFA players and in the insurance that our clubs and coaches have the confidence and passion to be inclusive and provide opportunities for all children and adults in Ireland to access football at suitable levels.The FAI recognises that some people or communities start from a disadvantaged position and may need assistance from the Association to access all opportunities that exist in football.”

The ‘Don’t Scroll By’ campaign is an initiative of the Olympic Federation of Ireland’s Athletes’ Commission and has been launched with the support of Indeed, an official partner of the Irish Olympic team. It calls on the public and sporting stakeholders nationwide to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to online abuse, discrimination and hate speech, and to #DeleteBanReport any of this type of commentary they witness online.

‘Don’t Scroll By’ is a clear and strong statement by Team Ireland that there is no place for online abuse, discriminatory comments or hate speech on social media channels in Irish sport. They are calling on the Irish public and sporting stakeholders nationwide to join together as one to actively oppose hate speech and online abuse, and to react purposefully whenever they see it. The OFI is asking everyone involved at all touchpoints of Irish sport to take action and make a public stance by showing that as a nation, we are anti-racism, anti-discrimination and anti-hate speech.

Kenmare News | 31

It is with great pride that Kenmare Kestrels Basketball Club celebrates our 15th Anniversary.

On April 26th 2006, 46 enthusiastic community members assembled in Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine Gym to lay the foundation for a new basketball club in our town. In that first meeting we agreed our club’s colours; black and red and our club’s nickname ‘Kestrels’.

Soon thereafter, we agreed our goals in setting up our new club which were to promote the sport of basketball for boys and girls / men and women of all ages, to encourage good sportsmanship, to promote volunteer and coaching opportunities for all members of our community and to promote inclusion and participation.

These original core goals and the best practice measures we later adopted have ensured that our club is a huge success on the court as well as in our community, in our county and even on the national stage.

“I would like to thank the many people in our community who have supported our Kestrels club over the years. We are a successful club because of the commitment, effort and dedication of so many individuals, coaches, volunteers, committee members, players, supporters, parents, and sponsors. A special thanks to Dermot Healy and his staff at Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine for all their support and generosity. In September we will have an additional basketball facility available to our club, as Kenmare Shamrocks GAA Club have opened their doors to our Kestrels basketball teams to train in their sports hall. I would like to add that while it is sad to have lost this past basketball season to COVID-19, we confidently look forward to our 2021/’22 season starting up again in September. As we looked through our many Kestrels photos and newspaper clippings over the past 15 years, what we witnessed was people of all ages having fun and enjoying themselves, and that is why we give our time and energy. We have confidently accomplished what we set out to do back in 2006 and we have achieved so much more. Young people in our community have won All Ireland medals, our teams successfully compete at every level in Kerry and the ‘Kestrels’ have astonished many basketball observers even at the national level. We hope, with your support, that our next 15 years will be as successful. Thank you and Go Kestrels!”

John Adams, Chairperson, Kenmare Kestrels Basketball Club.

32 | Kenmare News

Kestrels Coaches John Adams, Caroline Taylor, Montse Salvado

Under 10 Blitz participants

Flying the Kestrels Flag at the National Basketball Arena in Dublin

Kestrel Tania McCormack representing Ireland

With Kerry basketball and football legend Kieran ‘Star' Donaghy Kenmare News | 33

Golf in Kenmare Kenmare GC Update At the time of writing, we have fingers crossed that it’s only a few short weeks until golf re-opens. Since the turn of the year the weather hasn’t been favourable for golf – it’s easier being off the course when there’s rain and frost outside.

Golf During Lockdown We ran a number of events during February and March, with the highlight being an online Quiz in support of Junior Golf and the Rockmount Care Centre in Kilgarvan.

Thanks to all who helped especially Derry Dineen who put a very fair set of questions together.

The results were: 4th - Harrington Family, 3rd The Johnsons, 2nd Finn Family and our winners, the hugely impressive Daly Family (Upper Tubrid) Thank you all, and thanks once more to our sponsors for the evening, Times Square Burgers.

Sport Ireland Golf Resilience Fund We are delighted to announce that Kenmare Golf Club have received €23,500 as part of the Sport Ireland Golf Resilience Fund.

All of this has been ringfenced for course maintenance this year.

Kilgarvan GAA We are very sorry to learn of the passing of former Kilgarvan hurler Felix Randles, Bruree Limerick and formerly of Clontoo , Kilgarvan.

Felix won county championship hurling medals with Kilgarvan in the 50’s.

The committee & members extend our sincere sympathies to Felix’s wife Bridget and children Frances, Gerard, Tom, Felix, Patrick, Ettie, Tony and John and extended Randles family.

May he rest in peace and may his memory be a blessing to his family.

Ar dheist Dé go raibh a anam dílis

Competition Planning At the time of writing we are really hopeful of a return to golf on April 5th. We’re not sure what the restrictions will allow us to do, but in the event that competitions are allowed. A full set of weekend competitions have been planned for April, with our Rockcrest House Easter Hamper first up, followed by a Super Valu Monthly Medal (1 of 6!), then a McSwiney & Sons Expert Electrical competition. Then at the end of the month and over the May weekend we’ll have a huge Killarney Credit Union Classic team event. Every weekend will be advertised online, and if restrictions are still in place on April 5th we will change plans accordingly. But for now, it’s nice to dream of a month of quality competitions.

KGC Foursomes with Topline McCarthy This year we’ve decided to extend our traditional men’s doubles competition, and have had a great response. The decision has been to make sure all players get plenty of matches, with a view to getting practice for interclub games during the summer. We’ll have groups of four teams in a round-robin format, followed by a knockout competition. This means that the eventual winning pair will have to play their way through seven rounds to take the trophy.

Topline McCarthy have come on board as a title sponsor for this event, and we hope they will be associated with a great competition which will run throughout the summer.

Rebuild 2021 March was a busy month on the administration front. We were finally able to conclude our tender process for the clubhouse rebuild, and KPH Construction have been selected to rebuild our clubhouse. Like the rest of the country, we’re eagerly awaiting the return of construction now to get this started. We also completed the second part of our AGM with 75 members reviewing the financial results for the year and projections for 2021.

We hope to spend every word of the next Kenmare News update telling you about actual golf.

If you’re looking to get on board in April, contact the club today.

Anybody that joined last year ended the year wondering why they hadn’t done so years earlier!!

34 | Kenmare News

Kenmare Shamrocks Congratulations to David Cronin (son of Flor and Ciara Cronin) who was a recent winner of our lotto jackpot of €7,200. David is a club player with Kenmare Shamrocks and bought an annual ticket last year. Lucky for him, his four numbers 7, 12, 15, 23 were drawn from the drum. In the picture our chairperson Sean O'Shea is presenting David with his winning cheque.

Inbhear Scéine Gaels Ladies Football Club are absolutely thrilled with the response from the locality coming on board and helping them with their lidl promotion. They are in the top 10 clubs in munster so far, and there is a bonus prize for highest points in each province.

One of their aims is to upgrade the school pitch and add dressing rooms facilities, (of which there are none currently), any funds received will go towards the massive cost of this project.

Kenmare News | 35

Essential Services Essential Services Emergency Services

Ambulance, Fire, Gardí 999 Marine, Mountain Rescue 064 664 1177 064 663 1222 Kenmare Gardaí

Medical Services Dr Vincent Boland Dr Hilda Crushell Dr R & B O’Driscoll Dr Maria Quille Dr Aiden Russell Primary Care Centre Community Hospital South Doc

Dentists

Gerry McCarthy Con O’Leary

Optician

Geoffrey Meynet

Pharmacies

Sheahan’s Pharmacy

Post Office

Kenmare Tuosist Blackwater Bridge

Nursing Homes Tír na Nóg

064 664 1303 064 664 1514 064 664 1333 064 664 1544 064 664 1333 076 1083076 064 667 9500 1850 335 999 064 664 1650 064 664 2621 064 664 8569 064 664 1354 064 664 1490 064 668 4201 064 668 9245 064 664 1315

Physiotherapy

087 7622500 Christina Foley Chartered Physiotherapy, The Medical Centre

Physical Therapy Spinal Manipulative & Physical Therapy Nick Garrett

087 7556822

Chiropody

Michelle Conway Kenmare Chiropody Clinic

083 4074256

Counselling & Psychotherpay John Quinlan Gitti Maas Michele O’Brien

Homeopaths Sinead Hurley Pam Muller

Other Services

Receptionist / Trainee Dental Nurse Required immediately At Con O’Leary Dental Practice, The Square, Kenmare.

Experience not necessary but some reception skills preferred.

3, 4 or 5 days a week to suit.

Apply by email to conolearyoffice@gmail.com

36 | Kenmare News

Chamber of Commerce Citizens Information Social Welfare

087 616 6226 086 4010 738 087 2564 189 087 2040 200 086 300 9109 064 664 2615 076 1077810 064 664 0050

Kenmare Community Alert

Teddy O’sullivan- Casey - 087 670 5108

Chimney cleaning

Kenmare chimney & stove cleaning James Murnane - 086 3090154

Business Services Hot desk

Storage

087 2224421 087 2224421

House & Garden Maintenance • All types of Construction work • Small machine & Dumper work carried out • Over 30 years experience

Call Jerry O'Mahony

on 087 6312848

Let your customers know the Trade or Service you offer.

Kenmare House Care Maintenance GARDEN Service CENTRE Full House Renovations Our Christmas Shop is now open!

Christmas Trees, Lights and Decorations

Tiling, Painting, Carpentry, Power Washing etc Gifts Flowering Plants, Gardening To place an ad with us call Dick: 087 251 3126 kenmarenews@gmail.com

and much, much more!

Contact Paul 086 2258364

Kenmare News | 37

KENMARE

SELF STORAGE Extra space whenever you need it.

Own door and key.

Indoor, safe and dry.

087 222 4421

www.kenmareselfstorage.com

To place an ad with us call Dick: 087 251 3126 Self Storage done the right way is available to everyone. Go on, give yourself some space! kenmarenews@gmail.com Phone watch protected.

Affordable and accessible to you no matter what the size.

. .

KENMARE FIREWOOD • Very well-seasoned • Hardwood and Softwood available • Delivery by trailer load or bags Facebook - Kenmare Firewood

Let your customers know the Trade or Service you offer.

To place an ad with us call Dick: 087 251 3126 kenmarenews@gmail.com

Reddan and Sons Tarmacadam • Groundworks • Plant Hire

Excavations; Kerbing, Road Maintenance, Driveways, Footpaths, Drainage, Tarmacadam, Tar & Chipping, Concrete Yards Plant Hire; 3 Ton Mini Digger, Backhoe,

Hydrema Dumper, Tractor & Dumper, Rollers

reddanplanthire@gmail.com

Phone Pat: 087 6866110 38 | Kenmare News

No job too big or too small

Thomas G. Randles

Plant Hire 087 2331306

info@traklandutv.com

• Rock Breaking • Mulching • Dumper Hire Personal attention and quality work assured

Call Thomas on 087 2331306 Upper Clontoo, Kilgarvan

• Site Development • Landscaping • Land Drainage • Farm Land Reclamation Full public liability insurance

NAMES AND INSCRIPTIONS ADDED CLEANING & RESTORATION MEMORIALS & ACCESSORIES

Contact Sean: (0)87 294 7945 kenmarestonemason@gmail.com

www.kenmarestonemason.com

Sean O’Sullivan Casey

Let your customers know the Trade or Service you offer.

To place an ad with us call Dick: 087 251 3126 kenmarenews@gmail.com

Killarney Glass Aluminium & PVC-u

Returning to School Protection Safety Screens supplied and fitted Unit 4, Woodlands, The Park, Killarney T: 064 663 3232 | 087 2579794

E: info@killarneyglass.com | www.killarneyglass.com

Kenmare News | 39